Nicholas Soames MP, received a warm welcome from members of Lindfield Rural Parish Council on Friday as he took part in a tree planting ceremony in the Remembrance Garden at Walstead Cemetery.

Mr Soames donated four trees to the Parish as part of his carbon offsetting initiative which compensates for his carbon footprint in the constituency.

Cllr Sheila Hobbs, Vice Chairman of Lindfield Rural Parish Council, welcomed Mr Soames and thanked him for his kind contribution. Two flowering Cherry Trees were planted at the Cemetery and “Alder Buckthorne” trees, which attract yellow brimstone butterflies, will be planted in the wood at Scaynes Hill Common.

Mr Soames commented; “I was delighted to be able to donate the trees for the enjoyment of local people and I am very grateful to the Parish Council for the imaginative sighting of the trees in their beautifully maintained Cemetery.”

Walstead Cemetery was established in 1854 and now is a site of nature conservation importance (SNCI).The Cemetery includes 8 war graves. The tree planting was therefore even more poignant as the attendees also remembered those who had fallen, as well as the last heroes of World War I who passed away during 2009.

Photo: Tree Planting Ceremony, Walstead Cemetery, Lindfield Trees donated by Nicholas, as part of his carbon off-setting project, to Lindfield Rural Parish Council